Blog

NAN-DS-5

Buildings

By Angela Atabo

Abuja, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) Mr Joseph Anebi, the Controller-General, Federal Fire Service (FFS) says most government buildings in the country are not safe for habitation.

Anebi gave the warning at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2016 Fire Safety Week.

According to him, if the service is to go by set standard, many government structures will be sealed for failing risk assessment.

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“We normally carry out risk assessment of the building to find out the fire loads, the risk involved in that building and then we give you advice appropriately on what to do to safe guard your building.

“I don’t want to mention them, but so many government structures here, if we are to go by the standard, most of them needs to be sanctioned, most of them needs to be sealed.

“After carrying out the risk assessment we discovered that the lives of the people there are not safe.

“After giving those people warning, giving them what and what to be put in place, may be because of one thing or the other, they will not do it.

“And if we are to go by the power given to us we can seal the office.

“But if we are to go by that, that means most of the offices will be sealed off.

“So in essence we are saying that all these public buildings that have been vetted and found wanting need to put those things in place so that the lives of the public, the government property within that structure will be protected.’’

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Anebi stated that the service decided not to seal buildings that have failed risk assessment to give their owners the time they will need to safeguard the buildings.

“They were not aware before now; but now that they know, they need to put safety measures in place and it entails funds.

“So if we should outrightly seal them because they do not meet the standards we are not doing them any good.’’

He said although the fire safety code was introduced two years ago, many owners of buildings are yet to comply with the safety standards.

He stated that fire prevention does not begin with a fire outbreak alone, but with the foundation of the building.

According to him, just as architects’ input are a necessity for a building, it is also necessary for builders to send their building plans to the service for vetting.

This, he said, would enable the service to ensure that safety standards were met by developers.

He stated that equipment such as sprinklers and smoke detectors, among others, are necessary in a building to automatically fight fire whenever it occurs.

Anebi said although fire could be friendly, “when it is out of hand it could be disastrous and cause damage to property that took years to acquire.’’

The controller-general, who urged the public to be careful when handling fire, solicited support for the service to promote fire safety.

He stated that the service is willing to accept goodwill from individuals and groups to enable it to carry out its mandate effectively. (NAN)

ATAB/LAB/YEE
Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

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Nigeria takes over leadership of Network of Women Ministers of Environment

NAN-AE-12
Minister
Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Nov.15, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed in Morocco on Tuesday, took over the leadership mantle of the Network of Women Ministers of Environment and Leaders (NWMLE).

This is contained in a message from her twitter handle @AminaJMohammed on Tuesday and accessed by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

The message said the minister took over the chairmanship of NWMLE at the ongoing 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in Marrakech Morocco.

The minister succeeded Flavia Nabugere, Uganda`s Minister of State for the Environment.

Mohammed, who joined other world leaders to celebrate Gender Day at the conference, said:  “When women bring solutions, they don’t leave anyone behind. “

NAN reports that NWMLE was established in 2002 to promote gender responsive sustainable environmental management at regional and global levels.

NWMLE is also aimed at enhancing the representation and involvement of women in decision-making areas of the environment and sustainable development at all levels.

It serves as an excellent platform for informal discussions on important and current questions and issues on sustainable environmental management.

Its membership is now open to both male and female ministers and leaders in the environment sector. (NAN)
IAA/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
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NAN-HE-26

Patronage

Gusau, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) Cattle sellers in Gusau, Zamfara, have expressed concern over poor patronage, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Alhaji Gambo Aliyu, the leader of cattle rearers, opposite Central Motor Park, Gusau, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Gusau.

Aliyu said that cattle business often recorded low sales during normal days when there was no festival.

“We hardly sell two cows in a day; sometimes we even come out for business and return home without selling any animal,

“Even on market days of Mondays and Fridays when people come from Lagos, Ilela, Keffi and nearby villages, we only sell five or six herds cows,’’ Aliyu said.

He said that people hardly bought cattle during normal days, compared to festive periods when a dealer in the park would  sell up to 50 cows in a day.

Aliyu said that rams that sold from N20,000 to N100, 000 during festive periods were now selling at between N12,000 and N50, 000,  depending on their sizes.(NAN)
MOB/ABA/DO/AMY

Edited by David Onilede and Abdullahi Yusuf

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NAN-HE-25

Tax

Minna, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has identified multiple taxation as one of the major factors militating against effective collection of taxes in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the National Pr‎esident of the Institute, Dr. Teju Somorin, said this on Tuesday in Minna when she paid a courtesy call on the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa.

“If you ask a tax payer to pay one type of tax, that tax payer is not likely to grumble; but where a single person is paying about 10 different taxes, he will want to look for ways of not paying all.

“So, government needs to do a lot in curbing multiple taxes‎ all over the country.”

She  called for proper identification of tax payers to enhance smooth collection of taxes at the federal and state levels.

“If you are not able to identify a tax payer, you will not be able to assess that tax payer and collect the tax.

“So, the first thing is to identify a tax payer. Who are the tax payers‎ and where are they?”

She advised the Niger Assembly to amend certain sections of the state revenue administration laws to bring about efficient and effective taxation.

The institute’s president also implored the assembly to grant financial and administrative autonomy to the State Board of Internal Revenue‎ to enhance its operations.

She further stated that the purpose of her visit was to inaugurate the institute’s district society in Minna, adding that it would help boost efforts by the state to improve its revenue.

In his remarks, Marafa said that very little could be achieved by any government without an efficient tax system.

“There is no way we can improve our revenue base and deliver the dividends of democracy, if we are not serious about tax matters.

“‎Taxation is the key to success for any government, especially in this period of recession; so, we must look inwards and do the needful.” he added.

Marafa ‎reiterated the commitment of the Niger Assembly to enacting laws that would enhance the state’s internally generated revenue.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institute presented the speaker with an award in recognition of his‎ giant strides. (NAN)

AMEN/AK/NKO

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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-100
Ultimatum
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State has given a 14-day ultimatum to Oceanic Construction Company to abide by the labour rules and regulations in the treatment of its workers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company is handling some World Bank water projects in the state.

Addressing newsmen on Tuesday on the sidelines of the picketing of the company in Ibadan, Mr Titilola Sodo, Oyo State NLC Vice Chairman, said that the union was not happy with the dehumanising condition under which the staff work.

Sodo said that there was a collective agreement made by the National Joint Industrial Council stipulating certain criteria governing the relationship between employers and employees  in the construction industry.

He said that the criteria, which included industry minimum wage, provision of medical facilities, transport allowance and death benefit among other were not being implemented by the company.

Sodo said workers in the company had joined the industry’s union while their leaders were being victimised, with many sacked.

“ We call on the company to recall the sacked officers and implement other issues demanded by the union without delay.

“ We are giving the company a 14-day ultimatum to do this and with failure to comply, other steps would be taken that may  not be palatable to the company,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Mr Emelieze Andrew, the Chairman of TUC in Oyo State, said workers in the company were working under dehumanising condition.

Andrew said that apart from the poor pay of N700 per day offered by the company to the workers, the hostel in which the workers live was degrading.

“ I shed tears for Nigerians the way they are being subjected to  degrading condition and treated like second class citizens in their father land.

“ Slavery cannot be acceptable and something needs to be done urgently to see to the protection of workers in Nigeria,’’ he said.

He called on the Nigerian government to monitor the activities of companies operating in the country in order to protect Nigerians working there.

Speaking on behalf of the company, an official, Mr Toyin Falomo, promised to convey the demands of labour to the management. (NAN)
SYS/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

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Tournament

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Abuja, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) Florence Omagbemi, coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, says she will not make promises about the team defending the African Women Championship (AWC) title yet.

Omagbemi made this known at a news conference on the team’s preparation ahead of the tournament in Abuja on Tuesday.

The coach said the team would depart for Cameroon, venue of the tournament, on Wednesday morning.

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“When you are talking about football, it is not like you are trying to make math – one plus one.

“Even the best team in the world cannot just stand up and say I am going to win this game today except you play.

“So, I will not be in the position to say yes or no because you want to play and you want to access your team; but when you have a good plan the confidence is there.

“For now, we are going there to take one game before we think about the trophy.

“I am not going to make promises because everything has stages.

“When we come from one game to the next, all the way to the quarter finals, then the final game, I can be able to tell you something as regards to that.

“But I know we will get all the way to the top.’’

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Falcons who won the last edition of the event will be up against Group B foes, Mali, Kenya and Ghana in the tournament billed for Nov. 19 to Dec.3. (NAN)

IHA/LAB/YEE

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim

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Omagbemi’s audio mp3

Alleged N190m fraud: Oronsaye opens defence  Dec. 9

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Oronsaye

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) Mr Steve Oronsaye, the former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, will on Dec. 9 open his defence in the N190million fraud case filed against him by the Economic and  Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Oronsaye, Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Anti-terrorism Financing, set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan, was docked for breach of trust and diversion of N190 million committee’s funds.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of the FCT High Court Maitama, the prosecution closed its case after calling six witnesses.

The 6th and the last prosecution witness, Mr Hamma-Adams Bello, told the court that the investigation was approved by former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamurde, following receipt of two petitions against the defendant.

During cross examination by Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), counsel to Oronsaye, Bello said that the petitioners were anonymous and their addresses were not clearly stated and as such could not be located.

He, however, said that in spite of that, the petitions were investigated and two bank accounts were found to be opened in the name of the committee, one in Zenith Bank and the other in Access Bank.

The witness however said that while the Zenith Bank account had two signatories, the Access Bank account was solely operated by the defendant.

The witness informed the court that several lodgings were made to the Access Bank account.

He however said there was no direct payment from the account into the personal account of the defendant.

The witness also admitted that the committee members did not complain about the activities of the defendant prior to EFCC investigation.

Mr Offem Uket, who led the prosecution team, closed the prosecution’s case to allow the defence  open its defence.

The court adjourned till Dec. 9 for the defence to open its case. (NAN)
NEO/HAS/OU
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-H-74
Piracy
By Uche Eletuo and Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) ECOWAS Parliament began a five-day meeting toward implementing the sub-region`s strategy in tackling piracy in Gulf of Guinea on Tuesday in Lagos .

The meeting with the theme: “Maritime Security and the Fight Against Piracy: the Role of ECOWAS Parliament” attracted parliamentarians from member states

The Speaker of the Parliament, Mr Moustapha Cisse`Lo, said the continued threats posed by the activities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea required prompt action by the sub-regional group.

The speaker said that ECOWAS recently adopted the “ECOWAS Integrated  Maritime Strategy (EIMS) and the 2012 Yaounde Declaration of the Heads of States and Governments of Central and West African States”.

He said that the meeting of the parliament in Lagos was meant to identify ways of implementing the core components of the strategy for maritime safety in ECOWAS states.

“The essence of this meeting is to recommend how the ECOWAS maritime safety strategy can be implemented by the executives.

“Security in the Gulf of Guinea is a big challenge to the region and we have the responsibility as the people’s representatives to discuss this challenge with a view to finding solutions.

“Whatever recommendations we come up with at the end of the meeting would be subject to adoption by the Heads of Governments.

“We are committed to maritime safety and development in the region and this meeting is a demonstration of that commitment, “ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Moustapha Cisse`Lo as saying.

Also speaking, Mr Dakuku Peterside, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), commended the parliamentarians for holding the meeting.

He said maritime crimes like piracy, armed robbery, trafficking of humans, drugs and psychotrophic substances in the Gulf of Guinea had seriously affected maritime trade in the sub-region.

Peterside called for the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in tackling the menace in order to develop maritime trade in the region.

The Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said that the state had been constantly affected by maritime crimes, being a coastal state.

Represented by Majority Leader of the house, Mr Jimoh Wahab, Obasa said that the state would partner stakeholders in tackling the menace. (NAN)
EUC/BHB/AK/AJA
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(Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-91
Teachers
By Okeoghene Oghenekaro
Abuja, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) says it has developed a system towards ascertaining the number of qualified and registered teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Registrar of TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ajiboye said the system, referred to as the ‘Teacher Information System’, would be replicated in other states of the federation soon.
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“We flagged off something last week at least to focus on FCT, what we call teacher information system.

“To be able to get the details of the number of teachers that are qualified and registered with TRCN and to see those who are not qualified and those who are qualified and not yet registered with TRCN.

“We are in the process of getting that data. The idea is that we are going to use FCT as a pilot study.

“When we finish with the FCT, we would be able to deploy to all other states of the federation and get our accurate data.

“It is at that time we would be able to tell Nigerians the number of teachers we have that are qualified across the states

“The number of teachers that are qualified and registered with TRCN and those that are qualified and not registered with TRCN and also those who are not qualified at all across the states of the federation.

“But we are in the process of doing that.’’
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On the Teacher Development Programmes, the registrar said that the Federal Government was committed to improving the quality of teachers as it would in turn improve the quality of education.

Ajiboye said the National Teachers Institute and the Universal Basic Education had organised programmes to train and retrain teachers during the course of the year.

He said it was the responsibility of the council to monitor teacher development programmes across boards.

“It is the duty of TRCN to monitor and credit teachers who participate in such continuous development programmes, so we can record on their files how many of such programmes they have attended.’’(NAN)

OKE/LAB/YEE

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Emmanuel Yashim
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Ajiboye’s audio on data.MP3

NAN-AE-8
Toilet
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), said on Tuesday that over 2.4 billion people in the world have no access to toilet facilities.
The Registrar of the council, Mr Dominic Abonyi, made the disclosure in Abuja during inspection of filling stations in the FCT.
Abonyi represented by Mr Andy Ukah, Assistant Director, Ethics and Standard Enforcement of the council, said that the inspection was part of the exercise to commemorate the World Toilet Day, tagged “Toilets and Jobs”.
The registrar said that about 17 per cent of people working in public places always fall sick because of insanitary condition of the environment, particularly the toilets.
“We are trying to obey what the world is putting to us by ensuring that every person has access to toilets by 2030. We will continue this exercise.
“The council will always collaborate with agencies like Abuja Environmental Protection Board, (AEPB) Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and other area councils to implement this project,’’ he said.
He said that the globe celebrates the World Toilet Day every Nov. 19.
Abonyi said that the essence of the celebration was to increase the awareness and inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
He explained that the theme was also for the world to take action to reach the 2.4 billion people who had no access to toilets as well as promote environmental sanitation.
The registrar said that the council also served filling stations with dirty environment and toilets with abatement notice.
He said that the notice would last for seven days, adding that at its expiration, further action would be taken against them.
“We ordered them that they should ensure that their toilets are in good shapes, especially those public toilets used by their customers as well as their environment.
“If the management of the stations refused to comply by the order given to them, an action will be taken against them as soon as possible,’’ he said.
Abonyi expressed dismay over the poor conditions of toilets in filling stations and called on the management to ensure adequate maintenance.
He, however, advised Nigerians to support the right things, adding that such attitude would sustain peace and unity of the nation.
Mr Esho Kehinde, Manager, Conoil, Filling Station, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the inspection was a good development, adding that the efforts would promote environmental sanitation in the FCT.
NAN reports that some of the filling stations visited were not in good condition due to lack of water. (NAN)
VOE/MNA/AFA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Felix Ajide
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